Vatican on high alert: Advanced anti-drone tech at papal funeral
Due to the upcoming funeral of Pope Francis, heightened security measures are being implemented in the Vatican. According to the "Corriere della Sera" daily's portal, anti-drone teams equipped with specialized weapons have already been deployed on site.
With thousands of faithful expected to attend Pope Francis's funeral, the highest level of security has been introduced. Anti-drone teams have been stationed around St. Peter's Square to neutralize potential aerial threats. The media have released materials showing troops with specially designed "rifles."
Equipment for combating drones
Photos from the Vatican primarily feature equipment from the CPM brand, which has a drone combat range of up to 765 yards. Specifically, this refers to the anti-drone weapon CPM DJI-120-4B.
This weapon is relatively light, weighing approximately 37 pounds including batteries, a backpack, and four directional antennas. The DJI-120-4B operates in the SAT band at 1500 MHz, WiFi 2.4-2.5 GHz, and the video band at 5.8 GHz. The system can block unmanned aerial vehicles at a distance of 765 yards. The CPM rifle, which is 35 inches long, is powered by BB2590 batteries, which allow for standby operation for 20 hours.
In the Vatican, security forces also have smaller anti-drone weapons—the CPM Wilson. This is a three-band system resembling a pistol, powered by Li-Po batteries and capable of remaining in standby mode for 48 hours. Its range is about 547 yards.
Anti-drone weapons in the Vatican
Heightened security measures are a response to the expected crowds of faithful who wish to pay tribute to the deceased Pope. The Vatican authorities emphasize that the safety of participants is a priority, and all actions aim to ensure peace during the ceremonies.
These security measures also include traffic control around the Vatican and collaboration with international services to ensure the smooth conduct of the ceremonies.
